Circuit breaker



May 29, 1951 A. VAN RYAN EI'AL CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed larch 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 29, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ETAL 2,555,168

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CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed March 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Shae? 8 11W 'EN TORS. dun/cw r MIA Km 64 PL Jam/v01 5/? 26 f9 M fl gmwj k May 29, 1951 A. VAN RYAN ETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER 1O Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed larch 23, 1944 INVEN TORS Ann/101W Ida/Pm BY Gm Jaw/Yam Patented May 29, 1951 CIRCUIT BREAKER Anthony Van Ryan, South Milwaukee, and Carl Schindler,

Wauwatosa, Wis.,

aasignors to McGraw Electric Company, a corporation of Delaware Original application March 23, 1944, Serial No.

527,724. Divided 1945, Serial No. 592,414

4 Claims. 1

' manually operated, and in which a magnetically urged plunger initiates the opening stroke of the contacts when the plunger is traveling at its highest rate of speed, spring means being pro-' vided for maintaining or even increasing the speed of travel of the movable contacts after the initial portion of their opening stroke, the

spring means also being eiiective in securing a very quick closing stroke independently of the speed at which the plunger is retracted.

Further objects are to provide a novel form 01 contact assembly which forms a complete and separate assembly in itself, which may be removed as a unit from the circuit breaker and another contact assembly substituted therefor without disturbing other portions of the circuit breaker, and which, though operated by a magnetic plunger in the main body of the circuit breaker, nevertheless is not mechanically connected to the magnetic plunger.

Further objects are to provide a contact assembly in which the contacts have not only a quick opening motion but also have a quick closing motion to minimize wear on the contacts, and in which the quick closing motion is obtained independently of the speed of retraction of the magnetic plunger.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which is easy to produce and easy to assemble, which may be readily partially disassembled to allow substitution of different portions of the circuit breaker, and which is so designed that all of the parts may be readily inspected without dismantling the circuit breaker.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, showing the circuit breaker.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 showing the circuit breaker in closed position.

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 and this application May 7,

2 showing the circuit breaker in open position and in locked out position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper portion of the circuit breaker with a part broken away.

Figure 7 is a sectional viewjon the line 'l--l of Figure 8 showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is closed and in dotted lines the position of the parts when the switch is open.

Figure 8 is an end view of the contact assembly with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 9 is a sectional view'on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, such view showing the switch in closed position in full lines and in open position in dotted lines.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line ilk-Hi of Figures '7 and 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line H--l l of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line i 2-I2 of Figure 2.

Figure 13 is a sectional view on the line Iii-I3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line -44 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a part of Figure 14 showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 16 is a view corresponding to Figure 7 showing a modified form of the invention and showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is closed and in dotted lines the, position of the parts when the switch is open.

Figure 1'7 is a sectional view showing 'one of the stationary contacts and one of the movable contacts in switch closed position.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the parts in full lines when the switch is closed and showing in dotted lines the position the parts assume during the initial portion of the opening stroke of the switch.

Figure 19 is a view showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is opened and in dotted lines the position of the parts just prior to the initiation of the motion of the switch towards closed position.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic view showing a modified form. of the invention, such view showing in full lines the position of the parts when the switch is closed and in dotted lines the posi tion of the parts when the switch is open.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 1, it will be seen that the circuit breaker comprises a metal can I and a metal cover 2. The can is provided with a bracket 3 so that it may be attached to a suitable support. The cover carries the insulators 4 and 5 which respectively carry the line and load terminals indicated generally at 6 and I. Each of these terminals is provided with a conductor 8 having a downwardly extending portion housed in the upper part of a fiber tube 9. Upwardly extending conductors III are carried by the cap and are located immediately below the corresponding conductors 8 to provide spark gaps whose breakdown value is lower than the flashover value of the insulators 4 and 5. The top 2 is securely attached to the tank or can I by means of a plurality of bolts II. see Figure 5, secured to the inner side of the can and extending upwardly and having threaded upper ends upon which the clamping nuts I2 are screwed, suitable gaskets, not shown, being positioned between the nuts and the adjacent portions of the top 2 in accordance with the usual practice. The upper portion of the can or tank I is provided with a beaded upper edge I3 and a gasket I4 is positioned between the cover or cap 2 and the beaded upper edge I3 of the can I, such cover having an overhanging skirt portion as shown in Figure 2. The cover or top 2 is provided with an eyelet I5 adapted to receive a hoisting line so that the circuit breaker may be readily hoisted into position.

All of the working parts of the circuit breaker are suspended from and carried by the cap or cover 2 as is apparent from an examination of Figures 2, 3 and 4, and the can I is filled with oil up to the dotted line I6.

The can is imperiorate and is open only at its top so that there is no chance of leaking of the oil from the can. It is preferable to line the major portion of the can with a fiber sheet lining as indicated at I! and I8.

All of the working parts of the circuit breaker are suspended directly from the metal top 2. This top is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting lugs I9 which are internally threaded and receive screw threaded studs 20, as shown in Figure 4. Tubular insulating supporting pillars 2I are internally threaded at both ends and are screwed on the screw threaded studs 28. lower ends of these pillars receive screws 22, see Figure 3, which pass through the head portion 23 of an electromagnetic device, such head portion being held in place by'means of nuts 24 screwed on the screws 22, as shown in Figure 3.

It is preferable to provide the insulating pillars 2I with spaced openings 25 to allow circulation of the oil therethrough to prevent the formation of air spaces and to thus increase the insulating characteristics of the pillars. The head portion 23 of the electromagnetic device is formed of magnetic material and a solenoid or energizing winding 26 is positioned below the head portion and detachably held in place by means of a bottom magnetic member 2?, suitable The Lil

nuts H are screwed into the member 23 and carry the nuts 3| at their lower side. The shape of the members 29 is shown in dotted lines in Fig ure 12. The bolts 30 also hold an upper insulating portion 53 or a unitary switch assembly indicated generally at 33 in place.

A magnetic plunger 34 loosely slides within the insulating sleeve 28 and is provided with a nonmagnetic plunger or extension 35 rigidly carried by the magnetic main portion 34 of the plunger. The extension or plunger 35 constitutes the movable member of the electromagnetic means. The upper portion of the plunger is slotted as indicated at 36.

It is to be noted that the sleeve 28 has its upper portion fitted within an annularly recessed part 31 in the head or body portion 23 of the device. This recessed portion 31 communicates by means of a transverse passage 38 with an upwardly extending passage 38, see Figures 2, 3 and 12.

It is to be noted that the magnetic plunger 34 slides through the magnetic portion 23 and therefore the plunger 34 is covered with a nonmagnetic plating. It is also to be noted that the non-magneticplunger 35, which is rigid with the magnetic plunger 34 and forms a continuation thereof, freely passes through a magnetic plug 40 which fits within the fiber or insulating sleeve 28 and also has a reduced portion that fits within the lower magnetic member 21. Thus it is apparent that a magnetic yoke portion is provided externally of the energizing winding or coil 26 and that when current is passin through the coil there is a tendency to pull the magnetic plunger 34 downwardly from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3.

It is to be noted that the magnetic plug 40, as will be seen from Figures 3 and 4, is provided with a transverse slot 4I in order to reduce eddy currents. This slot may extend downwardly as far as desired. It is to be noted also that a bowed spring washer 42 is provided and rests upon the plug 43 and acts as a cushion for the plunger at the lower portion of its stroke, oil being trapped beneath the washer 42 and serving to cushion the blow of the plunger at the final portion of its stroke. It is to be noted also that the slot 36 in the upper end of the plunger 34 allows free discharge of the.oi1 when the plunger is nearin the final portion of its stroke, thus allowing the plunger to acquire considerable additional speed for the last portion of its stroke. The purpose of this will be seen as the description proceeds for it is at the latter portion of the stroke of the plunger that the contacts are first separated and-consequently the speed of the initial portion of the separating stroke of the contacts is high. This speed 'of opening of the contacts, as will be seen as the description proceeds, is maintained or even increased by spring means.

It is to be noted that the insulating bushings 4 and 5 have extensions that project downwardly into the can I, as shown most clearly in Figure 4. It is also to be noted that the line terminal 6, see Figure l, is connected directly with one of the stationary contacts indicated generally at 43 in Figure 4 by means of an insulated conductor 44. This conductor is provided with a terminal member 45 which is clamped in place by means of a removable nut 46. The other stationary terminal of the switch means indicated generally at 41 in Figure 4 is connected to one end of the coil 26 by means of the insulated conductor 48, such conductor having a terminal portion 48 which is removably held in place by means of the nut 50. The other end of the coil 26 is connected by means of a suitable connector indicated generally at to an insulated conductor 52 which extends upwardly to the load terminal 1, see Figures 4 and l.

The switch assembly is a unitary structure and is adapted to be positioned and removed as a unit. It is detachably held to the body portion 23, see Figure 3, by means of the bolts 30 and nuts 3|. It is readily removable by merely removing the nuts 3| and detaching the conductors 44 and 48. see Figure 4. It is to be noted particularly that no portion of the switch mechanism is mechanically connected to the plunger. The plunger merely bears downwardly upon a portion of the switch mechanism and therefore it is not neces-- sary to remove any links, levers or other members before the switch assembly can be removed as a unit.

The switch assembly can be best understood from reference to Figures 7 through 10. The switch assembly includes the transverse upper portion 53 of insulating material having downwardly turned side walls 54 provided with apertures 55 which are closed by removable insulating plates 56. These plates carry the stationary contacts 43 and 4'1 and the apertures 55 are large enough to allow the read removal of the stationary contacts therethrough for inspection or renewal. Intermediate insulatin partitions 5'! are spaced inwardly from the side walls 54, as shown most clearly in Figure 8, and held in place by means of transverse pins 58 provided with suitable insulating spacer sleeves 58, see Figures 7 and 8. Insulating baiiies 88 and 5! are positioned between the side walls 54 and the intermediate partitions 51 and are held in place in any suitable manner, as by means of pins 62, see Figure 9. It is preferable to form the housing 58, 54 and the intermediate partitions 5'1 and the baiiies 60 and 8| of the switch assembly of fiber, though other insulating materials could be used.

The lower portion of the walls 54 are joined by means of a transverse pin 63 provided with an insulating spacer sleeve 64. This pin and spacer sleeve, as will be seen from Figure 9, constitutes a stop for limiting the downward motion of the movable switch contacts. The movable switch contacts are indicated generally by the reference character 65, see Figures 9 and 11.

Figure 11, such lower portions being secured to an insulating lever or arm 69, such arm being rigidly attached to flanged portions 10 of a sleeve II which has a cut away central portion, as shown in Figure 10. The sleeve is mounted for rotation on a pin or shaft 12 which is supported by the side walls 54. Two of these movable contacts are provided, as shown in Figure 8, and the upper faces of these movable contacts, as will be seen from Figures 9 and 11, are provided with wear pads or contact faces 13. The movable contacts 65 are electrically connected together by means of the conducting rod 14, such rod being provided with an insulating spacer provided with an enlarged central portion 16, as shown in Figure 8. The rod 14 is threaded at its ends and received the clamping nuts 11 so as to secure good electrical contact.

It is to be noted that a very rigid connection between the movable contacts 65 and their insulating arms 69 is obtained by the construction illustrated in Figures 9 and 11. It is to be noted that the transverse or shouldered portions which join the intermediate part of the members 66 with the spaced portions 68, see Figure 11, are seated within notches 66' formed in the insulating arms or levers 69, see Figure 9. It is to be noted from Figures 7 and 8 that the intermediate partitions 51 are cut out and provide stops against which the spacer member of the movable contact assembly strikes when the switch is in switch closed position.

The stationary contacts 43 and 41 are carried by the removable plates 56. They are of similar construction and one, namely, the contact 43, will be described. Referring to Figure 9, it will be seen that this contact includes an upstanding plate or strap like portion 18 bolted to the plate 56 by means of the bolt 19 and provided with a horizontal portion terminating in upwardly extending, inwardly turned portions 8|, see Figures 8 and 9. These inwardly turned portions surround the contacting part 82 of the upper contact and loosely hold it in place and furnish a pivot or rocking point for such contact. The outer ends of the contact portions 82 are upturned, as shown in Figure 9, to form,

a cam like uiding face for the corresponding movable contact. A headed pin 83 loosely passes through the contact portion 82 and through the horizontal portion 80 and is urged downwardly by means of a spring 84 hearing against a transverse pin 85 carried by the headed pin 83. The horizontal portion forms a lower stop to limit the downward motion of the contacting portion 82 when the movable contacts are out of engagement with the stationary contacts. It is to be noted that the movable contacts sweep in an are very close to the inner edges of the baffles 50 and GI, and the manner in which theconductors 44 and 48, see Figure 9, are arranged causes a magnetic field to be produced which blows any arc resulting from separation of the contacts to the right into the arc chutes or spaces between the baffles and between the bafiies and the body of the switch unit and thus assist materially in extinguishing the are. For example, the conductors 44 and 48 are brought in to their respective stationary contacts in a curving sweep, as shown in Figures 4 and 9. The effect of the magnetic flux increases as the value of the current being interrupted increases.

It is to be noted from reference to Figures '7 and 10 that a cam member indicated generally at 86 is formed integrally with the sleeve portion H and consequently this cam is rigid with the arms 68 of the movable contacts. From reference to Figures 2, 3 and 7 it will be seen that the cam 86 is provided with an outwardly extending, curved, lowelface 81 and an outwardly extending, fiat, upper face 88 which meet in an outwardly projecting point 89. A hardened steel roller 90 is carried between a pair of arms 9| formed of insulating material and is freely mounted for rotation upon a pin 82 extending through such arms. The outer end of the pin 92 carries a pair of loosely, revolubly mounted, grooved, pulley like members 93, see Figure 8, over which the ends of a pair of springs 94 are hooked. The springs 84 have their inner ends hooked over the shaft 12 and thus the roller 90 is constantly urged towards the shaft 12 by means of the springs 84 and is thus held in permanent contact with the cam member 86. It is preferable to form the cam member '86 with hardened cam faces 81 and 88 upon which the roller travels, as will be apparent hereinafter.

Means are provided for moving the roller with reference to the cam 86 upon motion of the magnetic plunger. This means comprises a pair of roughly triangular-shaped levers 95, see Figure 7, pivoted upon a pin 96 carried by an inverted U-shaped metal frame 91 rigidly secured to the upper portion 53 of the switch assembly. The member 95 acts as a power transmitting memher for transmitting power from the magnetically moved plunger to the roller 99. The power transmitting member 95, it will be seen, is pivoted to rock about a fixed point adjacent one of its approximate apices and is provided with a hardened steel roller 98 pivotally carried on a pin 99 adjacent another of the apices of the member 95. The third apex of the member 95 carries a pin I09 to which the upper ends of the links 9| are pivoted. The links 9|, as stated, are of insulating material and so also is the power transmitting means consisting of the spaced levers 95. r

The lever means 95 is spring urged to rock in a counterclockwise direction by means of the spring IOI.

The operation of the switch mechanism will be readily understood from a consideration of Figures 2, 3, and 7. Assume that the parts are in the position shown in Figure 2 and that an overload occurs drawing the plunger 34 downwardly and forcing the plunger 35 downwardly,

thus depressing the roller 98 and the lever means 95. This causes the links 9I to draw the roller 90 upwardly towards the projecting point 89. This stretches the springs 94 and holds the movable contacts firmly in engagement with the stationary contacts as the tendency is to turn the levers -69 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 2, 3, 7 and 9. Just prior to the time that the roller 90 arrives at the most outwardly projecting portion of the cam 86, namely, the point 89 of the cam, the roller 98 strikes the enlarged portion Iii and thus initiates rapid opening motion of the movable contacts.

It is to be noted that at the time the roller 93 strikes the portion 76. the plunger is traveling downwardly at approximately its greatest speed as it has almost completed its downward travel and has its major portion within the winding 26. The roller 90 is thus quickly driven over the point 89 and thereafter bears on the flat face 88. The extended springs 94 pull the roller downwardly, that is to say, along the slanting face 88 of the cam 89, see Figure 7, to the position shown in Figure 3. It is obvious that this causes a quick downward rocking of the levers 69. thereby carrying the movable contacts downwardly with them and maintaining or even increasing the speed of opening of the movable contacts. It is apparent that the arms 99 tend to rock in a clockwise direction after the roller 99 passes the point 89, for it is clear that as these arms rock downwardly and the roller 90 travels to the left along the slanting face 88, this motion allows the springs 94 to contract and therefore cause the arms 69 to continue their high speed opening motion and, if anything, to increase their speed of travel in a clockwise direction.

When the winding 29 is deenergiztd, the spring IUI rocks the power transmitting means 95 back to the position shown in Figures 2 and 7, thus raising the plunger and causing the roller 90 to travel outwardly over the point 89 of the cam 89 onto the curved under face 81. It is clear that the arms 69 and the movable contacts will now execute a quick closing stroke, for as the arms 69 rock in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 8, the roller 90 will move along the curved face 8"! of the cam 86 to a position nearer the axis of the shaft 12, and thus will allow the springs 94 to contract. Thus the switch mechanism has a quick opening and a quick closing stroke.

During the opening stroke any are that is formed between the movable and stationary contacts is blown into'channels formed by the baffles and the side and intermediate walls of the housing, see Figures 8 and 9. It will be noted that substantially individual housings composed of the side walls 54 and the adjacent intermediate walls 51 provide independent arc chutes for each pair of contacts and thus serve to house or direct the arc and keep it away from other portions of the apparatus.

The circuit breaker is constructed to provide at least one first quick opening stroke followed by subsequent opening strokes so timed that the circuit breaker has the time current characteristics of a standard fuse. Also the circuit breaker is so designed thatafter a predetermined number of operations occurring in rapid succession, it will lock itself out and will give a visual indication of its locked out condition. Also it is so designed that if less than the required number of operations to produce lock-out occurs, the device will reset itself so that the f uli number of operations are thereafter required before it will arrive at lock-out position. These functions are accomplished by means hereinbelow described. The plunger 34 does not closely lit the fiber tube 28 and the oil below the plunger within the tube 23 freely flows around the descending plunger. This displaced oil, however, passes through the passage 38 into the passage 39, see Figure 2. From Figures 12 and 13 it will be seen that the passage 39 communicates by means of a passage I 02 with the upper end of a pumping cylinder I63 within which a pumping piston M4 is freely slidable. This pumping piston, as will be seen from Figure 14, is internally recessed and is urged upwardly by a light spring I95, the spring I05 being only sufficiently strong to raise the piston I04 to its uppermost position when there is no oil pressure above the piston. A passageway IOB extends from the lower end of the piston outwardly and freely communicates with the exterior oil except for the check valve I07. In other words, the oil is allowed free entrance but is prevented from passing downwardly through the passage I06. The passage I06 communicates by means of a lateral passage I08 with a counting cylinder I09, a check valve IIO preventing reverse flow of the liquid. Preferably a trans verse pin III is located above the check valve H0 to prevent too great a displacement of the check valve. A counting piston H2 is siidably positioned within the cylinder I69 and provided with a head portion II3 adapted to trip a toggle link mechanism in a manner hereinafter to appear. In addition to this it is to be noted that a transverse opening H4 extends between the upper portions of the cylinders I09 and H13. This opening allows free discharge of the oil above the pumping piston I04 when it is depressed to a position to uncover the opening provided, however, the counting piston H2 has not risen to a position to close the opening II The purpose of this arrangement will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds. The cylinder I03 also has a lateral passage H5, see Figure 13, leading to the outside oil. This pas;-

sage is normally closed by means of a check valve II 6 yieldingly held in place by means of a bimetal spring member Ill. The bimetal spring member H1 is so made that when the oil gets colder it tends to move to the left as viewed in Figure 13 and thus lessens the spring pressure on the check valve H0. However, at no time is the spring pressure on the valve I I6 completely relieved. In hot weather when the oil is heated and is thinner and is thereby rendered more fluid, the bimetal spring member III increascs the pressure on the check valve IIB.

It is to be noted that a small opening II8. see Figures 12 and 13, extends from the upper end of the cylinder I03 to a vertical passageway II9 extending downwardly and placing the upper end of the cylinder in communication with the exterior oil. This passageway is normally closed by means of an upwardly opening check valve I20, see Figure 13. It is also to be noted that the stroke of the piston I04 may be controlled by determining the upper point at which it is arrested. This is accomplished by means of the set screw I2I threaded through the cover I22 of the cylinder I03, it being noted that a suitable gasket is interposed between the cover I22 and the walls of the cylinder I03. Preferably a lock nut I23 is provided for the set screw.

A tripping member I24 formed of insulating material is mounted directly above the piston I I2 and is adapted to be moved upwardly by means of the extension II3 of the piston II2, see Figure 14, when the counting piston II2 has been moved upwardly a sufficient distance following a predetermined number of operations of the circuit breaker. This insulating tripping member will be described hereinafter but for the purpose of explanation of the hydraulic mechanism it is to be noted at this time that upward motion of the member I24 causes the circuit breaker to become locked in open position against any furtripping motion. This is accomplished by providing a projecting pin I25, see Figures 12, 13 and 14, which projects laterall from the member I24 and is located abovea thermostatic element I26 which moves upwardly when it becomes heated. Thus upward motion of the member I26 also serves to actuate the tripping member I24 and lock the circuit breaker in open position.

The operation of the hydraulic mechanism is as follows: Assume that an overload occurs. The plunger 34 is drawn downwardly against the action of the spring urged power transmitting member 05 and makes a quick downward stroke, the oil displaced by the plunger 34 on its downward motion passing through the passageways 38, 39, see Figure 2, through the passage I02, see Figures 12 and 13, into the pumping cylinder I03. This forces the piston I04 downwardly and uncovers the passage II5, see Figure 13, and also the passage II4, see Figure 14. The oil above the piston I04 is freely discharged through the passageway H4 and also is discharged through the passageway I IS against the spring urged check valve I IS. The downward motion of the piston I04 pumps oil into the cylinder I09, thus raising the counting piston I I2. If the circuit breaker is designed to have one quick operation followed by subsequent operations having the time current characteristics of a fuse link, the first pumping stroke of the pumping piston I04 causes the counting piston II2 to rise to a sufficient height to completely close the escape orifice II4, see Figure 14. If, however, it is desired to have the cession, the counting piston circuit breaker execute two quick strokes before it assumes the characteristics of a fuse for subsequent operations, then the design will be such as to require two strokes of the pumping piston I04 in order to cause the counting piston II2 to close the escape orifice II4. This may be done in several different ways by providing different sizes for the cylinders I03 and I09 if desired, or by making the countin piston II2 longer or shorter or may be accomplished by adjusting the set screw I2I so as to limit the stroke of the pumping piston I04. The adjustment of the set screw I2I also determines the number of operations for any given. design of cumulative hydraulic mechanism that will occur before lock-out takes place. In addition to this the extension I I3 of the counting piston II2, see Figure 4, may be varied in height. For instance, if it is desired to have lock-out occur with a smaller number of operations, the extension H3, see Figure 15, of the counting piston II2' may be made longer so as to arrive at the tripping member I24 after a smaller number of operations of the circuit breaker.

After the plunger 34 has opened the switch means, it tends to rise due to the action of the spring pressed power transmitting member 95, see Figure 2. The first portion of its rising motion is substantially unopposed as it quickly sucks oil from the cylinder I03, the piston I04 freely rising until arrested by the set screw I2I, see Figure 13. The remaining portion of the upward stroke of the plunger 34 is delayed as'it now has to suck oil through the restricted orifice H8, see Figure 13, the oil passing upwardly through the passageway II9 past the check valve I20. The size of the orifice H8 will determine the extent of delay between successive operations of the circuit breaker.

Assume that the fault persists and the escape orifice II4, see Figure 14, is closed by the counting piston H2. The plunger 34 is again drawn downwardly, thus opening the switch means but the operation of the circuit breaker is not a substantially instantaneous operation but assumes substantially the time current characteristics of a fuse. This is caused by the restriction imposed by the spring bimetal member III, see Figure 13, which causes the check valve IIS to offer a predetermined degree of resistance to the flow of oil outwardly through the passage II5 which is now the only discharge passage for the oil displaced by the plunger 34. By having the spring member I I1 formed as a. bimetal element correction is obtained due to change in the viscosity of the oil for change in temperature, thus maintaining the time current characteristics of a fuse irrespective of variations in temperature.

After the circuit breaker has executed a predetermined number of operations in quick suc- II2 has risen a sufficient height to trip the trip member I24 and cause lock-out of the circuit breaker, the mechanism hereinafter described being so arranged as to hold the circuit breaker in open position when it is locked out.

For different current ratings different coils 26 are provided. For variations of time delay during the downward movement of plunger 34, and thus for variations of time current characteristics, a more orlcss flexible bimetal member I I! is provided.

The cap 2 of the circuit breaker is provided with a transverse shaft I21 which is provided with an eyeleted, manually operable handle I28 11 on the outer ide of the cap, such handle being positioned within an open bottom housing I29 and normally being hidden by the housing. The

operating handle I28 is adapted to be displayed as indicated in the dash line of Figure 3 when the circuit breaker is locked out. The circuit breaker is adapted to be manually opened when the handle I28 is pulled downwardly as by means of a switch stick for instance. The circuit breaker is adapted to be reset when the handle is pushed upwardly as for example by means of a switch stick. The circuit breaker is trip free and will operate no matter whether the handle is held or is being moved back to resetting position. A small lever I30 is rigidly mounted on the shaft I21, see Figures 2, 3, and 4. Thissmall lever I30 is provided with an outwardly projecting pin I3I to which one end of a spring I32 is attached. The other end of the spring is attached to a projecting pin I33 carried by a bell crank lever I34 loosely mounted on the haft I21. The bell crank lever I34 is provided with a shouldered portion I35 against which the lever I30 normally bears. A second bell crank lever I36 is loosely mounted on the shaft I21. One end of the bell crank lever I36 is connected by means of an insulating link I31 with the upper end of the plunger 34. The other end of the bell crank lever I38 is positioned in line with a projecting 'pin I38 carried by the bell crank lever I34. An inverted channel-shaped link I39 connects the bell crank I34 and the tripping member I24 and is pivoted to such members by means of the pins I38 and I39 respectively.

The tripping member I24 is pivotally mounted as indicated at I40, see Figures 2 and 3, and constitutes with the link I39 a toggle link mechanism. The channel-shaped link I39 has a projecting portion that normally rests on the top of the tripping member I24 when the toggle link is extended and is slightly past dead center, as shown in Figure 2. This, therefore, prevents downward collapse of the toggle link mechanism. A pring I4I extends between the pins I38 and I40 and urges the toggle link mechanism towards collapsing motion. When the toggle link mechanism is collapsed in an upward direction from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3, the bell crank lever I34 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction and the pin I38 strikes the bell crank lever I36 and forces the plunger 34 downwardly, thus opening the circuit breaker and locking the circuit breaker in open position.

As has been previously described it is to be understood that the tripping member I24 is tripped by the cumulative hydraulic mechanism after a predetermined number of operations of the circuit breaker occurring in rapid succession, and when this has happened, the circuit breaker is locked in open position. It may be manually reset by means of the eyeleted handle I28 which may be engaged by a switch stick. This eyeleted handle is rigidly mounted on the shaft I21 and i normally hidden or housed within the housing I29. However, when the circuit breaker is locked out as shown in Figure 3, the handle assumes an indicating position as shown in the dash line in Figure 3. In order to reset the circuit breaker the operator merely engages the eyelet of the handle I20 with a switch stick and pushes the handle upwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 2. This stralghtens out the toggle link mechanism composed of the members I39 and I24 and allows the toggle to drop slightly past dead center under the influence of gravity to the position shown in Figure 2. Thereafter when the operator removes the switch stick from the handle I28, the spring I4I tends to collapse the toggle link mechanism in a downward position from that hown in Figure 2. This, as previously stated, is resisted by the portion of the channel like link I39 which overlaps the tripping member I24 and thus prevents downward tripping motion.

The circuit breaker may be tripped and locked out by means of the thermostatic member I26 as previously described. Also the circuit breaker is adapted to be manually opened by means of the handle I20. The operator merely engages the eyelet of the handle by the switch stick and pulls down on the handle. Thi rocks the small lever I30, see Figure 2, in a counterclockwise direction against the action of the spring I32. The lever I30 passes beneath the link I39 of the toggle link mechanism and causes the link I39 to pivot about the pin I38 and raise the knee of the toggle, thus allowing the spring I4I to complete the collapse of the toggle link mechanism.

It is to be noted from the previous description of the switch mechanism that no matter how the circuit breaker is opened, whether manually, thermally or by the action of the cumulative hydraulic mechanism, that the switch mechanism executes a very quick opening stroke. Also no matter how slowly the handle may be pushed back from its exposed position corresponding to the position of the parts shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2, nevertheless the switch mechanism closes with a quick motion.

If desired a counter I42, see Figure 6, may be positioned within the hood I29 and may have a manipulating lever I42 which is operated by means of a crank I43 carried by a small rock shaft I44 extending inwardly and provided with a lever I45 at its inner end, see Figure 4. The lever I45 is positioned in line with a projecting pin I45, see Figure 2, which pivotally joins the bell crank lever I36 with the upper end of the insulating link I31.

Figures 16 and 17 show a further form of switch mechanism. The insulating housing therefor has a top portion I41, main side walls I48, and inter mediate partition walls I49 corresponding to the portions 53, 54 and 5'! of Figure 8. Bafiles I49, see Figure 17, are positioned between the intermediate partitions I49 and the side walls I48 and correspond to the baffles 60 and SI previously described.

The construction of movable and stationary contacts in this form of the invention is substantially the same as that previously described. The movable contacts are indicated by the reference character I 50 and the stationary contacts are irdicated by the reference character I5 I. Only one set of contacts has been shown in Figure 17 but it is to be understood that the contacts are duplicated on each side of the device as shown in Figure 8 for the first form of the invention. The movable contacts I50 areclectrically connected by means of the connecting rod I52 provided with an insulating shield I53. The movable contacts are carried by insulating levers I54 pivoted as indicated at I55. The insulating shield or spacer I53 is revolubly mounted on the rod I52 and the outer ends of a pair of springs I56, see Figure 16, are hooked over the spacer I53 and the curved or hooked ends are positioned within assures grooves formed in the spacer I53. The inner ends of the springs I56 are hooked around a pivot pin I51. The pivot pin I51 joins a pair of insulating levers I58 with a pair of insulating links i59. The insulating levers I53 are pivotally mounted at a stationary point as indicated at I66 and the insulating links I59 are pivotally joined as indicated at I6I to a pair of spaced insulating members I62 which constitute power transmitting means and which are pivoted as indicated at I63 at a stationary point and which carry a hardened steel roller I64 against which the plunger of the electromagnetic means is adapted to hear. The levers I58 constitute guiding means for the inner end of the spring I56 and the links I59 constitute the operative means which operatively couples the inner end of the spring I56 with the power transmitting means I62. It is to be noted that when the switch is in closed position as shown in Figures 16 and 17 the notched out portion of the intermediate partitions I49 constitutes a stop and engages the insulating sleeve I33.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: When an overload occurs, the plunger 35 moves downwardly and rocks the power transmitting means I62 from the full line position shown in Figure 16 to the dotted line position shown in such figure and causes the switch to execute quick opening motion. The springs I56 are now eflective to cause return of the plunger to its uppermost position in a manner which will appear hereinafter. The springs I56 also cause a quick closing stroke to be executed by the movable contacts.

Assume that the parts are in the full line position shown in Figure 16, which corresponds to the full line position shown diagrammatically in Figure 18. As the plunger 35 descends, it will rock the member I62 and through the medium of the link means I59 will rock the lever means I58. I As the plunger nears the final portion of its downward stroke, the roller I64 strikes the insulating shield I53 and causes the initial quick opening stroke of the movable contacts, as it will be recollected from the previous description that the plunger is executing very rapid motion as it nears the limit of its downward stroke. At approximately the same time it will be seen that the center line of the springs I56 crosses the ivot point I55 of the switch arms or levers I54. Further downward motion of the plunger causes the center line of the springs I56 to pass the pivot point 55 and consequently the switch is urged by means of the springs I56 to continue opening motion and the speed at which its opening stroke was initiated, as pointed out above. is maintained or even increased by the action of the springs I56. The parts now move to their fully open position as shown in full lines in Figure 19 in the diagrammatic view and as shown in dotted lines in Figure 16. The dotted line position in Figure 18 is an intermediate position and not the final position.

The springs I56 are effective to raise the plunger 35. It is to be noted from an examination of the diagrammatic view of Figure 19 that the springs I56 will cause the lever means I58 to rock about the pivot I60. As the upward motion continues it is to be noted that the center line of the spring means I56 crosses the pivot I55 of the switch arms or levers I54. This position is shown in dotted lines in Figure 19. On continued upward motion of the lever means I58 the line of pull of the spring crosses over the iii pivot I55 of the switch arms I54 and consequently the movable contacts are quickly moved to switch closed position.

Instead of using the lever means I58, cam means could be employed to guide the pivot point I51 in any desired direction. Instead of having the pivot point I5'Iiol1ow along a curved or arcuate path as shown in Figures 18 and 19, it could be made to follow an initially curved path and thereafter a straight path by means of the curved upper portion I65 and the straight lower portion I66 of a cam member I67 upon which a roller I68 rides, the roller I68 being mounted on the pivot I57. This construction may be employed to give a greater extension to the spring means I56 when the switch is executing opening motion. A comparison of Figures 19 and 20 will show that the spring means I56 is extended a greater amount in the form shown in Figure 20 than in the form shown in Figure 19. This expedient may be employed to have a greater spring force acting on the switch means for its opening stroke. However, the pivoted levers I58 shown in Figures 18 and 19 are preferable to the cam means I61.

It will be seen that in the first form of the invention shown in Figures 2, 3, 7 and 8, the spring MI is so arranged that it overpowers the effect of the spring 94 when the switch means is being moved through the first portion or the closing motion of the switch means until the roller 96 rides over the point of the cam 86. However, in the forms of the invention shown in Figures 16 through 20 the same spring means is employed to actuate the switch contacts for completing their opening stroke and for executing their closing stroke .and also for raising the plunger of the electromagnetic means.

The same type of electromagnetic means and hydraulic means are employed for all forms of the invention. The hydraulic means is so constructed that there is sufiicient leakage around the counting piston that it will settle back to its initial position if there are not a suiiicient number of operations for tripping or if they do not recur with sufficient rapidity so that the device will reset itself for the full number of operations.

In all forms of the invention the switch construction is a unitary structure and may be removed or replaced as a unit without disturbing other portions of the apparatus. Also it is to be noted that new coils or windings can be substituted whenever desired with a minimum disturbance of the parts of the device, it being merely necessary to disconnect the coil and remove the switch means as a unit and thereafter to remove the coil. Also it is to be nottd that the entire mechanism is suspended from the cover or cap and may be lifted bodily from the can for inspection or repair.

With special reference to Figures 16 through 20 it is to be noted that the electromagnetic means has a movable member 35 that operates a power transmitting means I62 which is operatively connected b means of the link I59 with the inner end of the spring I56 and with the free end of the guiding means I58 in Figures 16 through 19. Also it is to be noted that in Figure 20 the guiding means'consists of the member I61 and that each of the guiding means is so arranged as to guide the inner end of the spring which is located at the point I51 in a manner to cause the spring to stretch when it moves from one side of the pivot point I55 of the lever to the other side of the pivot point I55 of such lever means I54 thus causing the storing of energy in the spring I56. This energy is effective on the opening motion of the switch mechanism to cause a quick opening stroke of such mechanism and also is effective there ter to urge the power transmitting means I52 owards the movable member 35 of the electromagnetic means. In addition to this, on the closing motion of the switch, the spring I56 is also effective to cause a quick closing stroke to be executed by the lever means I54 of Figures 16 through 20. Thus the sprin I56 has the double function hereinabove described.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

We claim:

1. A circuit breaker comprising electromagnetic means including a movable member; and a switch assembly comprising stationary and movable contact means, pivoted lever means carrying said movable contact means, power transmitting means adapted to be moved by said movable member when said electromagnetic means is energized, a spring having its outer end attached to said pivoted lever means, guiding means for guiding the inner end or said spring to extend said spring when said power transmitting means is moved by said movable member upon energization of said electromagnetic means, operative means operatively coupling the inner end of said spring and said power transmitting means, said power transmitting means moving the inner end of said spring from one side of the pivot point of said lever means to the other side of said pivot point to move said movable contact means to open position, said guiding means coacting with said spring to stress said Spring when the inner end of said spring is moved from the first to the second mentioned side of said pivot whereby said spring exerts a force on said power transmitting means to urge said power transmitting means towards said movable member, whereby when said movable member is free from control of said electromagnetic means said movable member will be moved back to its initial-position by said spring.

2. A circuit breaker comprising electromagnetic means including a movable member movable in one direction due to energization of said electromagnetic means; a switch assembly including stationary and movable contact means, a contact carrying lever carrying said movable contact means and having a fixed pivot point, a guiding lever having afixed pivot point, a spring interposed between said guiding lever and said contact carrying lever, and power transmitting means operatively interposed between said guiding lever and said movable member, said guiding lever being arranged when actuated by said power transmitting means upon energization of said electromagnet to move the axis of said spring across the pivot point of said contact carrying aaaaiee lever, the axis of said spring at all times remaining on one side only of the pivot point of said guiding lever and urging said guiding lever in one direction only.

3. A circuit breaker comprising electromagnetic means including a movable member movable in one direction due to energization of said electromagnetic means; a switch assembly including stationary and movable contact means, a contact carrying lever carrying said movable contact means and having a fixed pivot point, a guiding lever having a fixed pivot point, a spring interposed between said guiding lever and said contact carrying lever, a power transmitting lever operated by said movable member, and a link operatively connecting said power transmitting lever and said guiding lever, said guiding lever being arranged when actuated by said power transmitting means upon energization of said electromagnet to move the axis of said spring from one side of the pivot point of said contact carrying lever to the other side thereof, said spring in all positions of the levers being located on one side of the pivot point of said guiding lever, whereby a force is transmitted from said spring to said power transmitting means urging said power transmittin means towards said movable member, the movable member of said electromagnet being free to return to its initial position by the action of said spring when said electromagnetic means is not energized.

4. A circuit breaker comprising electromagnetic means including a movable member movable in one direction due to energization of said electromagnetic means; a switch assembly including stationary and movable contact means, contact carrying lever means carrying said movable contact means having a fixed pivot point, a guiding lever havin a fixed pivot point, a spring interposed between said guiding lever and said contact carrying lever means, and power transmitting means operatively interposed between said guiding lever and said movable member, said guiding lever being arranged to move the spring bodily across the pivot point of said contact carrying lever means to thereby move said contact carrying lever means to open and closed position, said power transmitting means being arranged to initiate openin movement of said contact carrying lever means by striking said contact carrying lever means.

' ANTHONY VAN RYAN.

CARL SCHINDLER.

. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 365,585 Davis, Jr H June 28, 1887 832,748 Sargent Oct. 9, 1906 1,479,580 Barnum et a1. Jan. 1, 1924 1,637,461 Wells l Aug. 2, 1927 1,753,975 Welsh Apr. 8, 1930 1,991,113 Nette Feb. 12. 1935 2,328,154 Lennholm Aug. 3, 1943 

